The Cleveland Browns have decisions to make in regards to their impending free agents.
Like every team in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns have their fair share of impending free agents and must make decisions about who to keep and move on from. So the question is which players should Cleveland look to retain?
None of note
Jadeveon Clowney and David Njoku highlight the Browns free agent class and are sure to receive big deals in free agency. Other notable players include Chris Hubbard, D’Ernest Johnson, and Anthony Walker Jr.
Clowney played at a level that has not been seen for some time and unlikely to do so again. HIs 2021 performance will result in teams approaching the former first overall pick with large offers. Njoku has been a disappointment since being drafted in the first round in 2017 with underwhelming production spread across two rescinded trade requests. Too many overlook his lack of refinement in his skills due to his physical stature. Five years after being drafted Njoku has not developed into anything resembling a starting caliber tight end and only pure delusion would argue otherwise. Signing either player to big money deal could backfire big time.
(Note: Njoku was franchise tagged after this was published)
Hubbard has been in Cleveland for some time now and has played admirably. His 2021 campaign was cut short due to injury. That being said, Hubbard has been incredibly expensive for a backup and the Browns do have to manage their costs in certain areas.
Johnson has shown the ability to be a productive back in this league, but with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt currently under contract they do need him at the moment. Unless the team moves on from Kareem Hunt, the Browns would be better off drafting a running back in the later rounds than signing Johnson to a deal.
Walker played adequately, but was not exactly what the Browns were hoping for. Totaling 113 tackles in 13 games which led the team by a considerable margin. While the accumulated tackles would be missed, there are other avenues to go to get something similar from a player who may even be more dynamic.
Who could the Browns keep?
Backup offensive linemen such as Blake Hance and Michael Dunn would be wise to keep around. Both have stepped in to play in a pinch the past two seasons and having consistency with the backup group helps limit any drop off in play in case of injury. Especially if the Browns move on from Hubbard in addition to weathering the storm with the undetermined return date of Jack Conklin and uncertain future of J.C. Tretter.
Stephen Carlson is another option that Cleveland could retain from this group. Carlson has played sparingly during his Browns tenure, but does play a position of value in this offense. If Njoku signs elsewhere and the team cuts ties with Austin Hooper they will need to address the position one way or another. With Harrison Bryant taking on a larger role, the team will need to sign at least one veteran tight end on a short deal in addition to drafting a tight end as well. Keeping Carlson could help in the consistency department due to having experience working in this offense.
